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Kyle Yates

@thekyleyates • 82,786 subscribers

Just a dad of a medically-complex child talking about life, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. And having some fun along the way.

Shorts

And my seven year old is now one of us. Can all you sports fans offer my boy some encouragement in the comments? 😂 I’d love to read them to him tomorrow when he wakes up.

And my seven year old is now one of us. Can all you sports fans offer my boy some encouragement in the comments? 😂 I’d love to read them to him tomorrow when he wakes up.

908,242 views

This moment from Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears last night will be something my son, wife, and I will never forget... What a season.

This moment from Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears last night will be something my son, wife, and I will never forget... What a season.

600,588 views

This may not seem like a big deal, but it is. Payton was born with a brain difference called holoprosencephaly. Essentially this means that the front part of her brain did not split into two separate left and right halves during early pregnancy. This causes developmental delays, temperature regulation issues, seizures, and coordination and motor control problems. She has struggled to coordinate midline over her near two years on this earth and it’s a big milestone moment when she can show that she’s developing and growing in this area. One thing that PT has wanted to see for a long time now is her laying on her side and being able to interact with objects in front of her like this…not just accidental batting, but intentional interaction. I’d say we got that with this one! We’re so proud of how much she’s growing and how hard she works!

This may not seem like a big deal, but it is. Payton was born with a brain difference called holoprosencephaly. Essentially this means that the front part of her brain did not split into two separate left and right halves during early pregnancy. This causes developmental delays, temperature regulation issues, seizures, and coordination and motor control problems. She has struggled to coordinate midline over her near two years on this earth and it’s a big milestone moment when she can show that she’s developing and growing in this area. One thing that PT has wanted to see for a long time now is her laying on her side and being able to interact with objects in front of her like this…not just accidental batting, but intentional interaction. I’d say we got that with this one! We’re so proud of how much she’s growing and how hard she works!

25,870 views

Payton says hello to everyone 🫶

Payton says hello to everyone 🫶

231,035 views

Cooper Kupp 🤔

Cooper Kupp 🤔

115,120 views

It’s been a couple of days since our last update on Payton’s recovery from pneumonia and cleft palate surgery. Long story short, it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows. She’s required oxygen - finally got off of that today - and has started crying finally. Before this surgery, she cried twice in her entire life, so that’s been very difficult for us to see because it means something is wrong and upsetting her. She’s required one of us to be by her 24/7 as she’s needed suctioning CONSTANTLY with all the junk coming up and the drool, along with her frequent puking and bowel movements. The antibiotic is absolutely helping with the pneumonia, but it’s destroying her little digestive system. Please be praying that her stomach starts to not upset her as much and she can give her body a bit of rest. The plus side is that she has started sleeping like a champ at night. Previously, if we could get six straight hours of sleep, we viewed that as a really good night. The past several nights, she’s gotten eight or more straight hours to the point where our night nurses have been slightly concerned. 😂 We seem to be turning a corner though, thankfully. We’re hoping that after taking five steps back with this surgery that we can now begin the road forward to taking 20 steps with speech, eating, etc. that comes with a closed palate. And we’re still finding moments of joy like this in the midst of the toughest two weeks we can ever remember. Thank you to everyone who keeps checking in on us, bringing us meals, and praying for us. We appreciate it more than you know.

It’s been a couple of days since our last update on Payton’s recovery from pneumonia and cleft palate surgery. Long story short, it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows. She’s required oxygen - finally got off of that today - and has started crying finally. Before this surgery, she cried twice in her entire life, so that’s been very difficult for us to see because it means something is wrong and upsetting her. She’s required one of us to be by her 24/7 as she’s needed suctioning CONSTANTLY with all the junk coming up and the drool, along with her frequent puking and bowel movements. The antibiotic is absolutely helping with the pneumonia, but it’s destroying her little digestive system. Please be praying that her stomach starts to not upset her as much and she can give her body a bit of rest. The plus side is that she has started sleeping like a champ at night. Previously, if we could get six straight hours of sleep, we viewed that as a really good night. The past several nights, she’s gotten eight or more straight hours to the point where our night nurses have been slightly concerned. 😂 We seem to be turning a corner though, thankfully. We’re hoping that after taking five steps back with this surgery that we can now begin the road forward to taking 20 steps with speech, eating, etc. that comes with a closed palate. And we’re still finding moments of joy like this in the midst of the toughest two weeks we can ever remember. Thank you to everyone who keeps checking in on us, bringing us meals, and praying for us. We appreciate it more than you know.

27,120 views

Xavier Hutchinson is being slept on in this draft class.

Xavier Hutchinson is being slept on in this draft class.

29,679 views

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This man is our hero. 🫡🫡🫡

This man is our hero. 🫡🫡🫡

3,187,785 views • 2 years ago

My life as a girl dad looks drastically different than others’ experiences. I don’t get to chase my daughter around a room as she squeals, I don’t get to her hear call out for “Dada”, and I don’t know if I’ll ever get to do daddy/daughter dances as she gets older. There’s a part of me that wants to look enviously upon my friend’s lives with daughters that easily hit developmental milestones and wish for what they have. But that’s not what I’ve been given. And there’s no healthy thing that can come out of living a life of resentment or jealousy. Instead, I focus on what I have been given. And I’ve been given so much more than what we ever thought we would have when we first had that ultrasound scan. I have a daughter who is content beyond belief. I have a daughter who is joy personified and who brings me immense happiness on a daily basis. I can do my own daddy/daughter dances in our home with a child who will be dependent upon me for much longer than other children will be with their dads. And I can view it as my privilege to care for her. Our perspective shapes our reality. And - despite the temptation - I choose to choose a mindset of thankfulness and joy. #parenting #dads #specialneedsdad #medicallycomplex #kids

My life as a girl dad looks drastically different than others’ experiences. I don’t get to chase my daughter around a room as she squeals, I don’t get to her hear call out for “Dada”, and I don’t know if I’ll ever get to do daddy/daughter dances as she gets older. There’s a part of me that wants to look enviously upon my friend’s lives with daughters that easily hit developmental milestones and wish for what they have. But that’s not what I’ve been given. And there’s no healthy thing that can come out of living a life of resentment or jealousy. Instead, I focus on what I have been given. And I’ve been given so much more than what we ever thought we would have when we first had that ultrasound scan. I have a daughter who is content beyond belief. I have a daughter who is joy personified and who brings me immense happiness on a daily basis. I can do my own daddy/daughter dances in our home with a child who will be dependent upon me for much longer than other children will be with their dads. And I can view it as my privilege to care for her. Our perspective shapes our reality. And - despite the temptation - I choose to choose a mindset of thankfulness and joy. #parenting #dads #specialneedsdad #medicallycomplex #kids

525,612 views • 7 months ago

This weekend, we got to share our story with our church family. I wanted to share it here with you, too.

This weekend, we got to share our story with our church family. I wanted to share it here with you, too.

117,952 views • 1 year ago

Could you all be praying for this little girl and our family? A week from today, we take her in for a cleft palate surgery. God willing, this will be one of her last surgeries for a LONG time. Be praying for peace for our family and for the surgery team and the PICU team as they handle her recovery.

Could you all be praying for this little girl and our family? A week from today, we take her in for a cleft palate surgery. God willing, this will be one of her last surgeries for a LONG time. Be praying for peace for our family and for the surgery team and the PICU team as they handle her recovery.

43,269 views • 5 months ago

This is my daughter tonight. Talking and laughing on her speaking valve 😍 Babies with trachs don’t get to hear their own voice as it bypasses their vocal cords. We’re so thankful for this device that helps us get to hear our girly.

This is my daughter tonight. Talking and laughing on her speaking valve 😍 Babies with trachs don’t get to hear their own voice as it bypasses their vocal cords. We’re so thankful for this device that helps us get to hear our girly.

45,407 views • 6 months ago

After two incredible years serving on staff in vocational ministry, I’ve made the decision to step away and transition into a new professional chapter. The flexibility this role has provided over the last couple of years has been an absolute lifeline for my family - especially as we navigated the complex medical needs of our daughter, born in late 2024. I am profoundly grateful for that time and space. Now, I’m looking to step back into a space that aligns directly with how I’m wired: High-Level Communication: Crafting workflows both internally and externally that connect and build community. Project & Systems Management: Designing, optimizing, and overseeing complex workflows. Detail-Oriented Execution: Diving into the micro-details to deliver macro results. Stepping into the unknown with three kids at home is certainly nerve-wracking, but it’s equally exciting. My background is diverse—I’ve managed social media accounts, worked in customer service as a tech specialist, been a podcast host of a major sports show, edited both long form and short form videos, and the list really goes on and on. What I’m looking for: I am completely open to various industries and am seeking remote opportunities - whether that looks like contract projects, part-time work, or a full-time role if the fit is right. The main priority is maintaining the flexibility required to continue prioritizing my daughter’s care. If you have an opening, know of an opportunity, or just want to swap ideas, I’d love to connect! 📥 Reach out directly via DM or 📧 Email me at: thekyleyates@gmail.com Let’s see what’s out there! 🚀

After two incredible years serving on staff in vocational ministry, I’ve made the decision to step away and transition into a new professional chapter. The flexibility this role has provided over the last couple of years has been an absolute lifeline for my family - especially as we navigated the complex medical needs of our daughter, born in late 2024. I am profoundly grateful for that time and space. Now, I’m looking to step back into a space that aligns directly with how I’m wired: High-Level Communication: Crafting workflows both internally and externally that connect and build community. Project & Systems Management: Designing, optimizing, and overseeing complex workflows. Detail-Oriented Execution: Diving into the micro-details to deliver macro results. Stepping into the unknown with three kids at home is certainly nerve-wracking, but it’s equally exciting. My background is diverse—I’ve managed social media accounts, worked in customer service as a tech specialist, been a podcast host of a major sports show, edited both long form and short form videos, and the list really goes on and on. What I’m looking for: I am completely open to various industries and am seeking remote opportunities - whether that looks like contract projects, part-time work, or a full-time role if the fit is right. The main priority is maintaining the flexibility required to continue prioritizing my daughter’s care. If you have an opening, know of an opportunity, or just want to swap ideas, I’d love to connect! 📥 Reach out directly via DM or 📧 Email me at: [email protected] Let’s see what’s out there! 🚀

14,469 views • 2 months ago

We were told that we most likely wouldn’t get to meet our daughter. We were told that we most likely wouldn’t get to celebrate her first birthday. We were told once she got her trach that we wouldn’t get to hear her sweet little voice. We’ve been told so many things and Payton continues to prove each of those wrong. And we love that we get to heat her little voice with the speaking valve. 💕💕

We were told that we most likely wouldn’t get to meet our daughter. We were told that we most likely wouldn’t get to celebrate her first birthday. We were told once she got her trach that we wouldn’t get to hear her sweet little voice. We’ve been told so many things and Payton continues to prove each of those wrong. And we love that we get to heat her little voice with the speaking valve. 💕💕

18,983 views • 4 months ago

I decided to try Music Therapy with Payton for the first time today. I wasn’t expecting much from it, but this little girl absolutely loved it. At one point, she started smiling so big that it nearly brought tears to my eyes. This little girl is such a gift to us. #parenting #trisomy13 #trachbaby #medicallycomplexkids #musictherapy

I decided to try Music Therapy with Payton for the first time today. I wasn’t expecting much from it, but this little girl absolutely loved it. At one point, she started smiling so big that it nearly brought tears to my eyes. This little girl is such a gift to us. #parenting #trisomy13 #trachbaby #medicallycomplexkids #musictherapy

28,699 views • 10 months ago

This moment was a complete mixture of joy and sorrow at the same time. Joy that I get to hear my daughter laugh when I rarely get to hear that sound. Happiness that I can make her react that way and that something is audibly coming out of it. For kids with trachs, their vocal cords are bypassed, which means that we don’t get to hear Payton speak. The only way we can make that happen is by her being on her speaking valve, but it can be a bit for her to tolerate as it causes a different pressure on her lungs. And yet, sorrow because this isn’t a part of our normal routine. We don’t get to hear her laugh regularly, even though she’s one of the most joy-filled children you will ever meet. I feel robbed at times. And those emotions can hit like a tidal wave without warning, like they did here. And I think that’s all ok. It’s ok to feel both sorrow and joy simultaneously. It’s okay to be happy about what’s currently happening, but also feeling sad about the way things are and the normal things that you get to miss out on. Life’s complex raising a medically-complex child. And that means that complex emotions can exist in a singular moment.

This moment was a complete mixture of joy and sorrow at the same time. Joy that I get to hear my daughter laugh when I rarely get to hear that sound. Happiness that I can make her react that way and that something is audibly coming out of it. For kids with trachs, their vocal cords are bypassed, which means that we don’t get to hear Payton speak. The only way we can make that happen is by her being on her speaking valve, but it can be a bit for her to tolerate as it causes a different pressure on her lungs. And yet, sorrow because this isn’t a part of our normal routine. We don’t get to hear her laugh regularly, even though she’s one of the most joy-filled children you will ever meet. I feel robbed at times. And those emotions can hit like a tidal wave without warning, like they did here. And I think that’s all ok. It’s ok to feel both sorrow and joy simultaneously. It’s okay to be happy about what’s currently happening, but also feeling sad about the way things are and the normal things that you get to miss out on. Life’s complex raising a medically-complex child. And that means that complex emotions can exist in a singular moment.

10,921 views • 3 months ago

Who should the Los Angeles Chargers hire to be the next head coach? A lot of candidates are going to be chomping at the bit to work with Justin Herbert.

Who should the Los Angeles Chargers hire to be the next head coach? A lot of candidates are going to be chomping at the bit to work with Justin Herbert.

44,718 views • 2 years ago

This silly girl.

This silly girl.

10,994 views • 7 months ago

Girly says hi!

Girly says hi!

11,409 views • 1 year ago

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